Department Head in Journalism University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Department of Journalism in the College of Media

College of MediaDepartment Head, Journalism

The Department of Journalism in the College of Media at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign seeks an enterprising journalist and administrator whose understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing journalism and journalism education will develop and guide the department’s vision for the future. The department head will explore new strategic initiatives and seek to build alliances across campus, particularly with units working on digital media, data analysis, and digital innovation (e.g., Computer Science, School of Information Sciences) that have international standing in their fields. The department head will provide academic and administrative leadership, including faculty development and evaluation, and will oversee long-range planning and budgeting. The head will report to the dean of the College of Media and, as a member of the college administrative team, will be expected to provide departmental leadership among multiple constituencies within a college and campus that emphasize academic excellence.

Responsibilities: The department head will serve as the executive officer and will play a crucial role in strengthening and increasing the size of the program. The head will cooperatively lead faculty, staff, and students in journalism education, scholarship, and in strategic planning to prepare the next generation of professional and scholarly leaders.

Qualifications: The candidate must be qualified for an appointment as a tenured, full professor at the University of Illinois and have a strong record of leadership, teaching, and scholarship and/or an extensive career in the field of journalism. A graduate degree is required; terminal degree preferred. The candidate must be able to articulate an understanding of academic culture, policies, and procedures typical of a major public research university. Preferred qualifications include experience with the development of new curricula for a digital world, advancement and alumni outreach, accreditation, and diversity initiatives. We encourage applications from diverse disciplines (e.g., business, communication, sociology).

Department Description: Within a university that draws distinguished international faculty and values innovation, the department faculty are a diverse group of award-winning academics and professionals who advance learning through their journalistic and creative work, scholarly research, and previous newsroom experience. The department is committed to mentoring students as they build the expertise necessary to produce relevant and enterprising journalism for global, multi-media platforms.

https://media.illinois.edu/

https://media.illinois.edu/degrees/journalism-bs-ms

This is a full-time position with an administrative stipend. Salary is commensurate with experience. Start date can be July 16, 2018 or August 16, 2018.

Applicants should create a candidate profile at http://jobs.illinois.edu and upload a cover letter describing their qualifications for leadership and insights into how best to prepare the next generation of journalists, a curriculum vita/resume, and the names, email addresses, and phone numbers of three references who can speak to leadership qualifications and experience. Applicants will be notified before we contact references. All requested information must be submitted for an application to be considered complete.

Full consideration will be given to applications received by October 2, 2017. Applicants may be interviewed before the closing date; however, no hiring decision will be made until after that date. The review will continue until the position has been filled. For further information regarding application procedures, please contact Jane Dowler at dowler@illinois.edu or 217-333-2351.

The College of Media at the University of Illinois is a highly selective and internationally respected college where nearly 1,100 undergraduate and graduate students are taught by distinguished scholars in media studies, world-renowned experts in advertising and consumer behavior, and award-winning journalists. The mission of the College of Media is to bring scholarship, professional expertise, and social responsibility to the landscape of new digital media, both nationally and globally.

Urbana-Champaign is a welcoming community that combines small-town charms like a short commute to work and locally owned markets with a dynamic cultural and intellectual environment that is the hallmark of our diverse population, brought together here by the prestige of a tier-one research university. Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis are just a few hours away.

The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer.

The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO. To learn more about the University’s commitment to diversity, please visit http://www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu